Game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus includes a pair of ramps, each ramp having a first surface for rolling a game ball and a second surface including at least one target for receiving a game ball. The ramps can be positioned such that a player can roll a game ball on the first surface of one ramp with the goal of hitting a target on the second surface of another ramp.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 63/222,711, filed Jul. 16, 2021, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus for playing recreationalgames and the related method of game playing.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Recreational games employing balls are universal. One group of suchgames involves rolling a ball towards a target. The target can be anobject which is to be struck by the rolling ball, e.g., bowling.Conversely, the target can be a receptacle for the ball being played,such as a golf ball being putted.

Many arcade games employ a similar principle. In pinball, skill isrequired to adjust the force imparted upon the ball such that it isdirected to a high value target. Another popular arcade game, Skee-Ball,employs rolling a ball up a ramp with a calibrated amount of force, suchthat the ball drops in a high value target hole.

Outdoor recreational activities are consistent with a healthy lifestyle,hence there is continuing need for outdoor recreational games, and inparticular for portable game apparatus that is easy to set up outdoorsand enjoyable to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a game apparatus comprising at least onegame ball and a pair of ramps. Each ramp has a first surface for rollingthe game ball, and the first surface has a near end and a far end. Thefar end of the first surface has a straight edge. Each ramp also has asecond surface including at least one target for receiving the gameball. The first surface and the second surface are preferably joinedalong a straight edge and form an angle from about 90 degrees to about110 degrees. The second surface extends downwardly from the firstsurface. The first surface is preferably canted upward from the near endto the far end, such that the first surface forms a ramp, such that aplayed ball must be rolled against gravity up the ramp.

To play the game, the pair of ramps are positioned on a common axis,such that the second surfaces are facing each other with the ramps beingseparated by a predetermined distance. A repetition of play consists ofa player rolling a game ball up one of the pair of ramps with enoughforce such that the ball leaves the far end of the first surface withenough momentum such that the ball travels in a trajectory resulting inimpact on a target on the second surface of the other ramp. Preferably,several targets are supplied to provide varying levels of difficulty.

Preferably, the at least one target portion comprises an aperture formedin the second surface, the aperture having a diameter greater than thediameter of the at least one game ball. Preferably, the at least onetarget comprises a plurality of circular apertures formed in the secondsurface with each circular aperture having a different diameter.Preferably, the second surface has a generally vertical centerline, andthe plurality of circular apertures is centered on the centerline.

Preferably, the first surface slopes upward from the near end to the farend. Preferably, the first surface slopes upward at an angle of fromabout 5 degrees to 20 degrees from the horizontal. Preferably, the angleformed by the first and second planar surfaces is adjustable.Preferably, the first surface is generally planar. Preferably, theheight of the near end of the first surface is from about 12 to 30inches.

In one presently preferred embodiment, the first surface is generallyplanar. In another presently preferred embodiment, the first surfacecomprises a near section and a far section. Preferably, the near sectionand the far section are each generally planar, and the far sectionextends upwardly from the near section, preferably at a fixed angle,such as about 27 to 35 degrees.

Preferably, the apparatus is formed from weather-resistant materials.

The present invention also provides a method of using a game apparatusby at least one game player. This method includes providing a pair oframps, each ramp having a first surface for rolling a game ball, thefirst surface having a near end and a far end, the far end having astraight edge, and a second surface including at least one target forreceiving a game ball, the first surface and the second surface beingjoined along a straight edge and forming an angle from about 90 degreesto about 110 degrees.

The method further includes positioning the at least two ramps such thatthe at least two ramps are aligned along a common axis, and separated bya gap, the far ends of each ramp being positioned proximate one another.The method further includes providing at least one game ball. The methodfurther includes the at least one player rolling the at least one gameball up a first ramp such that the ball traverses the gap between thetwo ramps and lands upon the second ramp. The method preferably includesnoting the point scored each time the at least one game ball fallsthrough the at least one aperture and calculating a cumulative pointscore for the at least one player.

Preferably, the at least two players take turns rolling the at least onegame ball, each turn comprising at least one roll. Preferably, the atleast two players roll from opposite ends of the game apparatus.Preferably, two teams of at least two players each take turns rollingthe at least one game ball. Preferably, at least one balldistinguishable as being associated with each team is provided.Preferably, three balls are provided for each team.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one of a pair of ramps of a firstembodiment of the game apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the game apparatus of the presentinvention showing a pair of ramps positioned for game play.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of the gameapparatus of the present invention showing a pair of ramps positionedfor game play.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of an “I”-shaped surface of one ofthe ramps depicted in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the ramp of Fig.4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principal objective of the game of the present invention is to rolla game ball up the inclined portion of a first ramp structure withenough force to launch the game ball across a distance, and land in thescoring portion of an opposing second ramp structure.

A first and second embodiment of a game apparatus according to thepresent invention are shown in the Figures, in which like elements aredesignated by like reference numerals.

FIG. 1 provides a side perspective view of a first ramp 20 of a firstembodiment 10 of the present invention. The ramp 20 includes a firstsurface 30 having a near end 32 and a far end 34. The first surface 30is preferably generally planar, although a contoured surface could besubstituted to change the level of skill required to play the game. Thefar end 34 of first surface 30 is elevated with respect to the near end32, such that a player must roll a game ball 12 (FIG. 2 ) up the ramp 20against the force of gravity.

Preferably, the near end 32 is positioned such that the game ball 12 canbe comfortably released at the end of an underhanded toss. At the farend 34 of the first surface 30 a second surface 40 extends generallydownward. Preferably, the first surface 30 and the second surface 40 arejoined along a straight edge. The second surface 40 preferably extendsdownwardly at an angle 48 from the vertical. The second surface 40includes at least one target 60. Preferably, the at least one target 60comprises an aperture 62 for receiving a tossed game ball 12.

Preferably, the second surface 40 includes a plurality of apertures 62,such as a first aperture 64, a second aperture 66 and a third aperture68. Each aperture 62 is circular and has a different diameter, eachlarger than the diameter of the game ball 12.

Preferably, indicia 72 are provided proximate each aperture 62 toindicate a point value associated with the aperture for each successfulgame toss.

The first surface 30 and the second surface 40 are supported by a frame50. Preferably, the first surface 30 and the second surface 40 arelocked in place when the ramp 20 is assembled, such as by providing anextended latch, such as on one or both sides of the ramp 20, andsecuring the extended latch such that the first surface 30 and thesecond surface 40 are rigidly connected together.

A representative example of use of the game apparatus 10 is shown in theside perspective view of FIG. 2 . A pair of ramps 20, 80 are positionedsuch that the far ends of the first surfaces face one another, separatedby a predetermined distance. A player tosses a game ball 12 on the firstsurface 30 of the first ramp 20 such that the ball 12 travels in atrajectory 90 leaving the far end 34 of the first surface 30 of thefirst ramp 20 and impinges on the second surface of the second ramp 80.If the game ball 12 travels through one of the target apertures of thesecond ramp 80, the player is accorded the corresponding point value.For example, an aperture having an eight-inch diameter could have apoint value of one, while an aperture having a diameter of six inchescould have a point value of two, and an aperture having a diameter offour inches could have a point value of five.

A second embodiment 110 of the game apparatus of the present inventionis shown in FIG. 3 . A first ramp 120 and a second ramp 180 are providedand shown positioned for play as depicted in FIG. 2 in the case of thefirst embodiment 10. The first and second ramps 120 and 180 arepreferably identical. Each ramp 120, 180 includes a first surface 130having a near end 132 and a far end 134. The first surface 130 comprisesa first generally planar near section 133 and a second generally planarfar section 135, with the far section 135 extending upward from nearsection 133 at an angle, such as at about 149 degrees, to provide a liftto a game ball being rolled down the ramp. Preferably, the angle isfixed, although provision can be made to adjust the angle to suit thepreference of the players. In any event, the far end 134 of firstsurface 130 is elevated with respect to the near end 132, such that aplayer must roll a game ball up the ramp against the force of gravity.

At the far end 134 of the first surface 130 a generally “I”-shapedsecond surface 140 extends generally downward. Preferably, the firstsurface 130 and the second surface 140 are joined along a straight edge146. The second surface 140 preferably extends downwardly at an anglefrom the vertical, as in the case of the first embodiment 10. The secondsurface 140 includes at least one target 160. Preferably, the at leastone target portion 160 comprises an aperture 162 for receiving a tossedgame ball. The first surface 130 and the second surface 140 aresupported by a frame 150. Preferably, the first surface 130 and thesecond surface 140 are locked in place when the ramp 120 is assembled.

Preferably, as best seen in the front elevational view of FIG. 4 , thetarget portion 160 of the second surface 140 includes a plurality ofapertures 162, such as a first aperture 164, a second aperture 166 and athird aperture 168. Each aperture 162 is circular and has a differentdiameter, each larger than the diameter of the game ball. On either sideof the central target portion 160 a cutout 145 is provided. Extending inback of the second surface 140 netting 170 is preferably provided tocatch balls passing through any of the apertures 162 or either cutout145. Preferably, the netting 170 extends downward from the underside ofthe ramp immediately in back of the second section to the ground, aswell as on either side of the second surface 140.

Preferably, indicia (not shown) are provided proximate each aperture 162to indicate a point value associated with the aperture. Decorativeindicia 172 are also preferably provided, which may also provide avisual guide to game players as to aiming a ball toss. Multimember teamscan be formed, and team members can take turns competing against otherteams.

FIG. 5 depicts a side elevational view of one of the ramps 120 of thesecond embodiment 110. The frame 150 includes a pair of near legs 152and a pair of far legs 156 connected by support members 154 upon whichthe near section 133 and far section 135 of the first surface 130 aresecured. The near legs 152 are preferably generally parallel to the farlegs 156, and each form an angle A of from about 93 to 100 degrees,preferably 97 degrees, with respect to the horizontal, such that thebottom portions of the near legs 152 are canted slightly inward underthe first surface 130. The near section 133 forms an angle B of about 90degrees with respect to the near legs 152, such that a tossed game balltravels slightly up the first ramp 120 on the first surface 130. The farsection 135 of the first surface 130 forms an angle C of from about 145to 153 degrees, preferably 149 degrees, with respect to the near section133 of the first surface 130, such that a tossed game ball is directedupward as it leaves the first ramp 120, at an angle of about 27 to 35degrees, preferably 31 degrees, relative to the near section 133 Thesecond surface 140 forms an angle D of from about 16 to 26 degrees,preferably 21 degrees, with respect to the far legs 156 The ratio of thelength of the near section 133 to the far section 135 of the firstsurface 130 is preferably about 6.5 to 1.

The overall length of the ramps is preferably about five and one-halffeet. Preferably, the game apparatus is formed from components made fromlightweight materials, preferably water-resistant or waterproofmaterials, such as polyvinyl chloride and high-density polyethylene.Preferably, the components can be easily assembled into each of theramps, and easily disassembled for transportation or storage. In anotherembodiment, each of the first and second surfaces is a detachable sheetthat can be rolled up or folded when the ramp is disassembled.

In one presently preferred embodiment, the first and second surfaces arerigid boards easily secured to a frame, which itself is composed of aplurality of parts, such as PVC tubes and tube joiners, such as elbows,T-connectors, and 3-way connectors. In another aspect of the presentinvention, one or more nets are provided behind the second surface tocatch or deflect game balls passing through the apertures.

Various modifications can be made in the details of the variousembodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, allwithin the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

1. A game apparatus comprising: at least one game ball; a pair of ramps,each ramp having a first surface for rolling a game ball, the firstsurface having a near end and a far end, the far end having a straightedge, and a second surface including at least one target for receiving agame ball, the first surface and the second surface being joined along astraight edge and forming an angle from about 90 degrees to about 110degrees.
 2. The game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at leastone target portion comprises an aperture formed in the second surface,the aperture having a diameter greater than the diameter of the at leastone game ball.
 3. The game apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the atleast one target portion comprises a plurality of circular aperturesformed in the second surface, each circular aperture having a differentdiameter.
 4. The game apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the secondsurface has a generally vertical centerline, and the plurality ofcircular apertures is centered on the centerline.
 5. The game apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the first surface slopes upward from thenear end to the far end.
 6. The game apparatus according to claim 1wherein the first surface slopes upward at an angle of from about 5degrees to 20 degrees from the horizontal.
 7. The game apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the angle formed by the first and secondplanar surfaces is adjustable.
 8. The game apparatus according to claim1 wherein the first surface is generally planar.
 9. The game apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the height of the near end of the firstsurface is from about 12 to 30 inches.
 10. The game apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein the apparatus is formed from weather-resistantmaterials.
 11. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first surfacecomprises a near section and a far section, the far section extendinggenerally upward from the near section,
 12. The game apparatus of claim11 wherein the near section and the far section are generally planar.13. The game apparatus of claim 12 wherein the far section extends fromthe near section at an angle of about 27 to 35 degrees.
 14. A method ofusing a game apparatus by at least one game player, the methodcomprising: providing a pair of ramps, each ramp having a first surfacefor rolling a game ball, the first surface having a near end and a farend, the far end having a straight edge, and a second surface includingat least one target for receiving a game ball, the first surface and thesecond surface being joined along a straight edge and forming an anglefrom about 90 degrees to about 110 degrees; positioning the at least tworamps such that the at least two ramps are aligned along a common axis,and separated by a gap, the far ends of each ramp being positionedproximate one another; providing at least one game ball; the at leastone player rolling the at least one game ball up a first ramp such thatthe ball traverses the gap between two ramps and lands upon the secondramp; noting the point score each time the at least one game ball fallsthrough the at least one aperture; calculating a cumulative point scorefor the at least one player.
 15. A method according to claim 14 whereinat least two players take turns rolling the at least one game ball, eachturn comprising at least one roll.
 16. A method according to claim 14wherein the at least two players roll from opposite ends of the gameapparatus.
 17. A method according to claim 14 wherein two teams of atleast two players each take turns rolling the at least one game ball.18. A method according to claim 17 further comprising providing at leastone ball distinguishable as being associated with each team.
 19. Amethod according to claim 18 further comprising providing three ballsfor each team.